“NEW” ORGAN PIPES – NOVEMBER, 2016
All 134 pipes we are installing in November, 2016 were made about the year 1930, at the M. P. Moller Organ Factory in Hagerstown, MD. Moller was the largest pipe organ builder in the world, producing over twelve thousand instruments from 1885 until closing in 1992. The longer silver-colored pipes are made of zinc and the remainder pewter-colored pipes are made of an 80% lead / 20% tin alloy. These pipes were part of organ number 5709, build for the First Methodist Church in Catskill, NY. In the late 1960’s, this church constructed a new building and contracted with another organ company to relocate the organ. Sadly, the architectural design left insufficient space for the organ, resulting in many problems due to the cramped installation. Because of this, in 1991 the pipe organ was taken out and replaced with an electronic substitute. Chase Organ Co. was given salvage rights to the removed instrument. After 25 years in silent storage, the pipes have now found a new home, and new voice, in the Second Baptist Church. The two small steeples on the left and right front corners of the organ chest were cut from wood salvaged from an organ built in 1968 by Chase Organ Co. for St. Marks and St. Johns Lutheran Church in Canajoharie, NY. This organ was played by our friend Roberta vonHahmann. A fire severely damaged the church and the organ, with the organ being declared a total lost. Eventually there will be two golden balls affixed to the steeple points. |
|
PIPE STENCILING - FEBRUARY - 2019
MORE PIPES - 2020
These 56 wood pipes were found in a barn outside of Cooperstown and the owner had no idea where their original home had been. The probable date of their construction is about 1870, the original builder unknown. They have been gifted to the Second Baptist Church where they are being restored to working order and appropriately decorated. The board containing the pipes will have electrically operated valves installed. A picture of the proposed details for the stencil design and colors is shown. During March and April the stenciling began in earnest, with Sadie Ostrander, Donna Beams, Lou Ann, Isabelle and others working independently. The 16th and 17th pictures are our "new" pipes being voiced and regulated on the organ shop voicing machine. The small pipes, completed by Marilyn Dufresne, were installed by Sid. The pipes were set in the rack on June 28, 2020, with help from the whole congregation. Special thanks to Hunter Ostrander for climbing the ladder and placing the pipes. |